Office of Research Administration

Important NIH Update: Common Form Leniency Period Ending and RST Reminder

April 23, 2026

Dear NIH Investigators,

As relayed in previous communications of December 5th and January 23rd, the NIH requires the use of Common Forms created in SciENcv for all biosketches and other support documents for any applications, RPPRs or JITs due on or after 1/25/26. However, we have enjoyed a leniency period of non-enforcement regarding Common Forms for the past 3 months.

This week, NIH released NOT-OD-26-079 which confirms that NIH’s leniency period is ending on May 7, 2026. After this date, any applications with non-compliant biographical sketches will experience system errors preventing submission. Any RPPRs or JITs with non-compliant Other Support pages will also be unsubmittable. 

Additionally, a certification is being added back to the biosketch where you will certify that you have completed required Research Security Training (RST), in addition to the existing certification regarding Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (MFTRP). As a reminder, the Brandeis University Research Office requires that all PIs/Co-PIs and key personnel included in proposals for federal funding and working on active federally funded projects (“Covered Individuals”) complete Research Security Training (RST). This requirement has been in effect since September 2025.

Key points:

    • The Hard Deadline: Starting May 7, 2026, the leniency period officially expires.
    • Warning vs. Error: Submissions that previously triggered "warnings" for using old PDF templates will now trigger system errors, preventing the application from being successfully submitted.
    • SciENcv required: Familiarize yourself now with logging into SciENcv using your eRA Commons login method and contact DISC PreAward EARLY if you need help troubleshooting. DISC PreAward can guide you through the delegation process to allow for individualized support.
    • Required ORCID ID: Every Senior/Key person must have an ORCID ID linked to their eRA Commons Personal Profile. 
    • Personal Certification: Investigators must personally certify their own forms within SciENcv. While delegates can still help enter data, they cannot perform the final certification on your behalf.
    • Security Compliance: The new forms include specific certifications regarding Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs (MFTRP) and completion of Research Security Training (RST). If you certified your Common Form document prior to April 22, 2026, you will need to log into SciENcv to re-certify the document for submissions due on or after May 25, 2026.
  • Accessing Required RST in CITI 
    • Log on to your Brandeis-affiliated account at the CITI Program website
    • Add the required course to your account Research Security Training (Combined Course), A condensed and combined single-module course based on the NSF Research Security Training 
    • Select "Add a Course"
    • Choose the second option under Question 8
    • Complete the course: Work through the course modules and pass the quizzes, ensuring you achieve the required passing score.  Brandeis will be notified directly when affiliates have completed the course.  

Resources for NIH Common Forms:

If you have any questions about the NIH requirement for Common Forms and Research Security Training, please contact Christine DiBlasi, Associate Director, Pre-Award Services, Office of Research Administration or reach out to Steven Karel, Vice Provost for Research.

Sincerely, 

DISC Pre-Award Team

Office of Research Administration


PS:  The NIH has an open request for comments on their 5-year strategic plan process. If you have feedback you want to provide on the overall direction of NIH this would be a good opportunity. The individual institutes have their own strategic plans, so this is not the best forum for institute-specific details. The RFI is here, responses are due by May 26;

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-26-047.html